As we enter the holiday season, many of our residents will be traveling by air to visit loved ones and friends. I would like to share some tips with you that might make your travel through Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport a little easier.

First, I encourage you to make airline reservations as soon as possible to ensure you have a good choice of flight options. Our Airport is served by the following airlines; Air Canada, American Airlines, Air Tran Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and U.S. Airways. Flight schedules and information are available on our website, www.flymsy.com.

Before you travel, please visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at www.tsa.gov to review what can and cannot be carried on-board aircraft. For example, during the holidays, there may be a restriction on the carry-on of wrapped packages. In addition, the restriction on the amount of liquids you can carry on-board still applies. This policy is known as 3-1-1 for carry-on bags, which means – a 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed separately in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. The 3 oz. container size is a security measure. Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing the 3-1-1 policy will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience. There are also new procedures concerning the screening of children. For example, children under the age of 12 may leave their shoes on during the screening and the TSA will not ask travelers to do anything that will separate them from their child. If you are traveling with children, please review the rest of the child screening information on the TSA website before leaving for the airport.

On the day of your holiday departure, give yourself plenty of time to park, check-in and process through security. Our $356 million dollar modernization of the airport is underway with a planned effort to minimize the inconvenience to our traveling public. Due to construction, some airlines may be departing from multiple concourses. Be sure to check our new Flight Display Information monitors upon arrival for the location and status of your flight. Airlines recommend that passengers arrive at least 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Also, please save some time to visit our shops before you check your luggage. You can purchase unique Louisiana products at the various stores at the airport as well as last minute items you may need for your trip. By shopping on the secured side of concourses (after you pass through the security checkpoint) before boarding your flight, particularly for liquid products, you will have an opportunity to pack your purchases in your carry-on and avoid the liquid carry-on restrictions. Also, with the new shop and restaurant hours of 5
a.m. to 8 p.m., you can have a snack or a sit-down meal at one of our restaurants before you proceed through the security checkpoint or just wait to eat at one of our eateries on the concourses.

While you await the departure of your flight, take advantage of our free Wi-Fi available at the Airport through 37 access points to connect you to the internet. Please note that the internet access at the Airport is limited to 144K due to a state law that limits the speed of free Wi-Fi connections. We also encourage you to follow the Airport on Facebook and Twitter. If you need assistance while in the Airport pre-security, please speak to one of our friendly Airport Customer Service Representatives easily identified in their burgundy jackets and positioned at the concourse exits.

If you are picking up guests arriving at the Airport, please take advantage of our free Airport cell phone parking lot. The lot is available year round with onsite security from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and is located at the corner of Airline Drive and Hollandey Street across from the Airport in a fenced area marked with a huge brown sign. This is the way it works. Once your arriving party is in baggage claim and has received their luggage, they simply call you on your cell phone to let you know they are ready to be picked up. You may then proceed to the lower roadway outside baggage claim to pick them up. Based on Federal regulations, Airport police can only allow cars that are actively loading or unloading passengers to stop and park on the Airport upper or lower roadways. For this reason, the cell phone lot is more convenient than circling the Airport grounds and helps reduce congestion in the baggage claim area.

As you travel, the New Orleans Aviation Board and staff of Armstrong International Airport are working hard to provide you with first class customer service and safe facilities. We want to make your brief time spent in our Airport as pleasant as possible. Happy Holidays!